Minimum Standards in Foster Care
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The introduction of the 
National Minimum Standards of Foster Care means that for the first time local authority fostering services,
independent fostering agencies and voluntary organisations that provide fostering services all come under the same system of accountability and scrutiny.
The establishement of the National Care Standards Commission, an independent, non-governmental body under the Care Standards Act of 2000 is now charged with regulating social and health care services which had previously been regulated by local councils and health authorities.
The National Minimum Standards for Foster Care services consists of regulations, which are mandatory, and minimum standards which have to be taken into account by the National Care Standards Commission in its decision making regarding certain aspects of its operation and duties. The standards should not be confused with the "UK National Standards for Foster Care" produced in 1999 by the National Foster Care Association (now the Fostering Network) and others. The1999 standards were seen as "best practice" whereas the National Care Standards Commission will be concerned to take into account the National Minimum Standards of Foster Care.
The regulations and standards replace the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations 1991.
Key Areas of National Minimum Standards
Statement of Purpose - Standard 1
Fitness to carry on or manage a fostering service - Standards 2 & 3
Management - Standards 4 & 5
Securing and Promoting Welfare -
Standards 6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13 and
14
Staff and Foster Carer recruitment, checks etc. -
Standards 15,
16,
17,
18,
19,
20,
21,
22 and
23
Recording and Record Keeping -
Standards 24 &
25
Fitness of Premises -
Standard 26 (refers to offices only, foster homes are dealt with under Standard 6)
Financial Matters - Standards
27,
28 and
29.
Fostering Panels -
Standard 30.
Short-term Breaks -
Standard 31.
Families and Friends as Carers -
Standard 32.
Positives
1. The Standards will bring all types of organisations involved in providing foster care services under one inspection umbrella
2. The inspections by the National Care Standards Commission will be carried out uniformly across the country
3. If regulations are breached, or minimum standards flouted or disregarded there is a clear process to resolve the matter. Where these cannot
be resolved prosecution or de-registration, are two courses of action which are available
4. It will now be possible for more thorough information to be gathered that can help to plan future foster care service developments
5. The inherent weaknesses of some very small organisations will become apparent
Negatives
1. The Minimum Standards are exactly that - Minimum
2. Standards are naturally quite vague and much rides on the National Care Standards Commission and its ability to provide a high and consistent quality of inspection that can "discover" service failures
General
The new regulations and standards are to be welcomed, particularly as they apply to all providers of foster care services. The standards are not as consumer-centred as those proposed in 1999 but the hope must be that minimum standards will be updated to try to bridge the gap between them and best practice. Many will hope that the "worst examples" of foster care provider will be rapidly excluded from applying or remaining a registered organisation.
